The Spark: 'Tis the Season for …Hiring!
Did You Know…?
There are EXP alums on our Board of Directors AND on our staff
Indeed there are! Board Members Victor Ibarra ’11 (left) and Elizabeth Machuca ’09 (right) are Phineas Banning High School alums. They often volunteer time beyond their board involvement as guest speakers, including at the recent GPS Your Future®.
On the staff side, another Banning alum, Director of Program Operations Alejandra Garcia ’06, started with EXP as a Program Coordinator! Today, she leads Program Managers Maribel Alejandre ’08, a fellow Banning alum, and Carson HS alum Daisy Boeckmann ’17.
The busiest hiring months are upon us
October and November are the most intense hiring months of the year, as companies are hiring in preparation for the holidays! Our board member and Alumni and Young Adult Committee Chair, Ron Roberts, Jr., also notes that fall is when the college career fairs are the busiest! He offers tips on how to get ready for the hiring season—on and off campus—in Ron’s Corner.
Volunteering is good for your career
"Volunteers make great leaders," according to a study by Habitat for Humanity International. For example, 67% of volunteers surveyed report an increase in their leadership skills, while 80% report an increase in their communication skills and an increase in their influencing abilities. No wonder 80% of hiring managers agree that active volunteers advance into leadership roles more easily! Check out the available opportunities below.
Volunteer Opportunities
Be an EXP Guest Speaker
Make a direct impact in the lives of EXP students! We’re looking for speakers to share their respective industry career journeys with high school students. Time commitment: about one hour via Zoom or in-person. Sign up to join our list of volunteers by emailing Devyn Dupree, Program Coordinator, at devyn@expfuture.org.
Mentors for Young Fellows Program
Alumni men of color, come on back and inspire a new generation of leaders! Help motivate 120 boys of color from EXP-supported high schools and guest schools representing all grade levels from November through April 2023. Time commitment: About 2 hours a month via Zoom. The first session is starting soon, so sign up today!
Learn more and see the session schedule here, or contact Program Leads Kenia Tello at kenia@expfuture.org and Eva Levingston at eva@expfuture.org.
Talk to Your Employer about the EXP Internship Program
EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis kicked off earlier this month. This is a great time to talk to your employers about taking a high school intern this summer like Eloisa Sanchez ’13 did! (Read more below.) Please contact Maribel Alejandre at maribel@expfuture.org for more information.
Alumni Spotlight: Eloisa Sanchez ‘13
Eloisa Sanchez ‘13
Eloisa Sanchez
Service Operations Manager, Duthie Power Services
Class of 2013, Phineas Banning High School, Global Safety and Security Academy
No career path is ever a straight one, and Eloisa’s is no different. Having learned about careers in maritime and logistics through EXP programs, Eloisa entered Cal Maritime and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Logistics. However, her experience in logistics and planning landed her an opportunity outside the maritime field at Duthie Power Services.
Eloisa was recently promoted to Service Operations Manager, ensuring the service office operates smoothly. Her experience with the EXP Internship Program was so significant that she encouraged Duthie Power Services to become an internship host this past summer.
“As an EXP alum, I can attest to what a great program this is and the impact it can have on the students long term,” said Eloisa. “The internship gives students a support system that adds value to their futures. It taught me valuable lessons I took into college and career and introduced me to mentors and connections that eventually led me to more opportunities. I want to give the younger generations that same experience."
This past summer, Duthie Power Services became a first-time EXP internship host and took in three interns. All thanks to Eloisa!
We are looking for alumni to feature. Email us your story at alumni@expfuture.org.